Let’s face it, being a student is hard. There are too many things to handle at the same time. Completing all your assignments, maintaining a social life, finishing up your laundry, cleaning your room, getting to class on time, and to top it all, financial struggles. In the midst of all that student havoc, you also need to feed yourself!
One option is to eat all the processed stuff off the supermarket shelf and be happy. Another can be to cook for yourself and avoid being constantly broke. Remember that 2019 resolution related to “saving money”?
We made a list of ten recipes that are easy, quick and super affordable! None of these recipes should cost you more than £5.
First things first: on a Sunday afternoon, when you’re lazing around and watching Netflix, go and stock your refrigerator with the following staples: frozen vegetables, bread, butter, cheese, eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, dark chocolate, fruits, canned vegetables, pre-cooked chicken/fish/beef, and fruits. Despite its horrible reputation in the zero-carb-zero-fat-zero-sugar-community, bread is a 100% edible food and will also help you save time!
Peanut Masala
– This is an Indian recipe, which works great as a snack or to go with a drink. Chop up one tomato, onion or spring onion, and one cucumber if you like.
– In a bowl, mix the chopped vegetables, peanuts (preferably unsalted), salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Mix it all properly. You can have this during class too since it’s a no-spill snack!
Bolognese Pasta (vegetarian-friendly)
– You will need to multitask here, but it’s worth the effort. If you do not have too many utensils, you can use one pan for the entire process; it will just take longer. In a deep dish, boil two to three cups of water.
– In another pan, warm some butter or oil. Add garlic, if you like the taste. Stir in the veggies (and if you want chicken) with some salt, pepper, oregano and bolognese sauce (they can be found in many varieties at all supermarkets).
– While the vegetables are cooking, add your pasta in the boiling water. This should not take more than four to five minutes to cook. Check the pasta with a fork; if it slides through, it means it’s cooked.
– Add the cooked pasta to the vegetables. Put some cheese on top and voila, you’re good to go!
Omelette in a Cup
– This works perfectly for mornings when you absolutely have no time to cook. Break two to three eggs in a cup. Whisk them properly.
– Add vegetables, cheese, salt and pepper for taste. Mix everything well.
– Microwave for three to four minutes depending on how well-cooked you want it to be.
Relish with mustard or ketchup, and of course coffee.
Chicken/Vegetable Rice
– In a deep dish, add a half bowl of rice with one cup of water. Let it cook. You can also cook plenty of rice for one week and use it whenever you want.
TIP #1: White rice cooks the fastest.
– In a pan, warm butter or oil. Stir in vegetables and/or chicken. Add salt and pepper for taste. There are different sauces you can add to this, soy sauce, green or red chilli sauce, or even a tomato-garlic sauce. Sprinkle some lemon juice on top. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
– Add the cooked rice to this pan. Mix all the ingredients well and cook for another two minutes. You can keep it in your refrigerator and eat it whenever you want.
TIP #2: If you prefer, you could use half a cup of couscous, buckwheat or quinoa with two inches of water. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes on a high flame. (Buckwheat and quinoa can take a little longer.)
Bircher Muesli
– This recipe will take overnight before you can eat but the preparation will only take five minutes and you will have a delicious breakfast meal the next morning.
– In a bowl, put four to five tablespoons of oats. Add one cup of milk. Then, put one teaspoon of honey, agave syrup or sugar. Add some chopped bananas, apples, pears and berries. You can add some cream and nuts if you want as well.
– Let this mixture sit overnight in your refrigerator. In the morning, mix the combination with a spoon and you’ve got yourself a delicious, healthy breakfast!
Chocolate Cheese Sandwich
– This is for those post-midnight sweet tooth cravings that you simply cannot resist. In a pan, melt some butter.
– Between two slices of bread, put dark chocolate compound and a cheese slice.
– Place it on the melted butter pan. Let the chocolate and cheese melt and blend.
Eat it hot!
Lettuce Wraps
– Remember to wash the lettuce thoroughly. For the lettuce, you can use iceberg, green leaf or romaine.
– Flatten the lettuce a bit and spread some hummus or mayo on it. Put some chopped vegetables or pre-cooked chicken. Add salt and pepper for taste.
– Very carefully, roll the lettuce to make a wrap and seal it with a toothpick.
Burger
– Not going too far, but burgers literally take minutes to prepare. You will need buns, vegetarian or chicken patties, cheese slices and lettuce.
– Apply butter on the buns and sear them on the pan until they turn golden brown. Keep the buns aside. In the same pan, heat the patty on both sides. Check with a fork whether it is cooked from within.
– Now, place the cheese slice, patty and lettuce with a sauce of your choice. Enjoy with a chilled Coke or milkshake.
Cheese Nachos
– Another easy and delicious recipe for those external assignment nights. Get a pack or two of nachos.
– In a bowl, mix grated cheese, salt and pepper. You can add chopped onions, tomatoes and olives to it if you have the time.
– Add the nachos to this bowl and microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese melts. Goes well with your desk and laptop!
Chocolate Popcorn
– The easiest of them all! Cook some popcorn in the microwave.
– Melt chocolate in another bowl.
– Pour this chocolate generously on the popcorn. Enjoy with some Netflix!